But it is going to be a heck of a year.
John Henson is participating in the LeBron James Skills Academy and Mike DeCourcy managed to take in some of his game. According to DeCourcy, Henson will be the top ranked player in the class by the time the recruiting season ends for 2009. There is also a good chance he is a one and doner.
Henson, who stands 6-9, has the reach of Dr. Octavius. His wingspan is measured at nearly 7 feet, 5 inches. He could clean your gutters with a stepstool.
No time for that, though. A resident of Round Rock, Texas, committed to attend North Carolina in the fall of 2009, Henson is busy playing his way from a position of relative obscurity to status as the best college basketball prospect in the senior class.
None of the big Internet services have Henson rated there now, but don’t worry, they’ll catch on eventually.
On a day when it wasn’t easy to find brilliance, even from some of the big-name prospects, Henson bumped up against Detroit’s bigger, stronger DaShonte’ Riley and revealed extraordinary levels of invention and tenacity.
“I like contact,” Henson said. “I like getting physical with somebody and putting it up. Even though I’m small, it’s part of what I like to do.”
When he says “small,” he means his frame. Henson weighs 183 pounds and, like Kevin Durant or Brandan Wright, he’ll never be mistaken for Shawne Merriman. But that does not prevent him from battling like an NFL linebacker.
A college coach who watched him Sunday marveled at Henson’s instincts and lamented that the Tar Heels already had secured his commitment. A top Internet analyst suggested Henson could wind up ranked first on his site’s post-summer top 100 list.
There were several reasons why:
-Trapped on the left block by a strong defensive double-team, Henson destabilized both defenders with some nifty footwork and managed to finger-roll a lefty attempt off the backboard and through the goal.
-Handling the ball on the left wing, Henson made eye contact with Connecticut-bound big man Alex Oriakhi and gestured with a nod of the head that suggested Oriakhi should duck into the post. This was not dazzling, but it showed an awareness of the game uncommon in camp settings.
-After throwing a lefthanded pass across the court on a fast break, Henson chose not to watch his teammate attempt a layup but instead ran the remaining 30 feet to pursue a potential rebound. He said his father encouraged him always to run until the play was over. “It becomes a habit,” Henson said. “And also, you want that highlight dunk, so that’s also some motivation.”
-When guard Taran Buie was handling the ball beyond the foul line and in position to beat his man on a drive, Henson backed away from the lane to create room for Buie’s penetration, then filled the gap from behind in case Buie wanted to drop off a backhanded pass or to make himself available for an offensive rebound.
He is as comfortable finishing plays with his left hand as his right. He has the ability to make long-range jump shots, but did not spend any of his time trying to prove that to the audience of coaches, reporters and NBA scouts because the circumstances of the game required him to be inside.
If there were a basketball version of the Wonderlic test, Henson would be Eli Manning. Henson credits his high school coach, Curtis Knight, “and just having the instinct for the game.”
The immediate difference I notice between Henson and Brandan Wright is Henson does not shy away from contact. If Wright was in a physical game, such as playing Michigan State in the 2nd round game in 2007, he was worthless. Henson does not appear to be bothered by contact which is a bonus. This kid plays with tremendous hustle, has a very high basketball IQ and possesses crazy versatility. Plus having a 7-5 wingspan is just freakish. I get the feeling he will be tons of fun to watch as a Tar Heel with a tinge of sadness knowing he will not be long for Chapel Hill.
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I am fine with a player leaving after one year if it garnishes a NCAA title.
So he will be a power forward?
He is 6-10 and has the skills of a guard which is to say every position from 3 to 5.
I’d love to see him play the small, and the Wear boys play the small/power. We have Zeller & Davis for the deep interior.
I see the line up more like this.
1: Drew (Soph), Watts (Soph)
2: Strickland or McDonald (Frosh)
3: Henson (Frosh), Graves (Junior)
4: Zeller (Soph), Wear (Frosh)
5: Davis (Soph), Wear (Frosh)
That would be a young and exciting team. Of course, things would change if PF Ryan Kelly joins us and would-be senior Deon doesn’t opt to leave early after (hopefully) a phenomenal effort this upcoming season. Also, Bobby Frasor could still be granted another season!
This is incredible. We’re going to have a ridiculous amount of depth this year in the front-court and the back-court. And after the team roster pretty much empties out after this (possible National Championship) season, we’re going to bring in the Wear Twins, Leslie McDonald, Dexter Strickland, John Henson and add them to the team of Larry Drew, Ed Davis, Tyler Zeller-and maybe Bobby Fasor- for another run at the national title. And then after that, we’re bringing in rising guards in Kendall Marshall, Reggie Bullock and possibly Roscoe Smith (if one of Leslie or Dexter decides to leave, which will probably be Dexter). Dare I say a repeat National Championship?!?! Hope I didn’t jinx it……
Whoa…… UNC doesn’t rebuild, they reload!
Yep, the UNC dynasty blossums. Which is probably why Coach K is coaching the Olympic team – his best chance of getting a title (medal) in the near future. Of course with Kobe, LeBron et all on the US team, if he doesn’t win, as Gomer Pyle used to say: “Shame, Shame, Shame.”
No way Henson plays the 3. Not enough lateral quickness or handles for that.
I just hope if Coach K does win the gold… he doesn’t ruin the pro careers of his players.
Is it John or Josh Henson ?
John Henson
Can’t wait for this kid. As for the Lineup won’t Thompson be a Senior?
Assumptions behind my lineup:
- The 08/09 season will be more successful than 07/08
- Thompson will be a big enough factor in the success
So, Thompson could decide to leave early with Lawson and Ellington. Similar to the clearout after 05 season.
From what I understand, Coach Roy recruited Henson to be a SF for us. But if he fully grows out of the position by the time he gets to Chapel Hill, then Graves would probably start at SF with McDonald backing him up. Either way, we’ll be stacked!
I will be surprised if Deon Thompson goes after this season, I simply do not think he will have the kind of impact that will get him noticed and he knows it will be his team ala David Noel if he comes back for his senior season.
THF-
Much agreed. Even if the boys cut the nets, I don’t see Deon’s stock being high enough to warrant an early exit.
Speaking of top recruits for ‘09, did anyone see the most recent issue of DIME (I think that it is what it is called, sort of a SLAM rip-off)? On the cover was Lance Stephenson, whom the magazine offered as thier choice for the top high school prospect. The interview sheds light on the game where Lincoln got beat by St. Pats and Dexter Strickland. However, the interviewer did make note that Stephenson “destroyed” Dexter Strickland. I think that Dexter being “destroyed” is taken out of context when you look at how loaded St. Pats were and how much extra scoring Stephenson had to do to keep Lincoln in the game.
Well, wherever Stephenson goes, he won’t have the likes of John Henson, Ed Davis, and Leslie McDonald blazing down the court with him on a fast-break.
This recruiting work is simply unbelievable.
Speaking of Stephenson, he was just cut from the U18 USA squad, being among the last not to make the team. While we was without a doubt the most talented player on the team, that didn’t stop Bob McKillop from cutting him. Got to think there is something extra that you’re getting with that young man.
THF, I’m with you about Deon. He has some nice post moves, but I’d like to see him be more aggressive. That’s why I think we’ll miss Alex Stephenson, since you could always count on 2-3 strong dunk put-backs per game with him and some good hard fouls on defense. Deon gets pushed around a bit on defense and seems timid at times. I hope he can add some muscle and some better range on his short ‘jumper’ this season. I think he could be a decent guy off the bench in a few of years in the NBA, just not next year.
Well boil me in oil… I meant Alex STEPHESON. I know I hate it when folks misspell my name. I think the Lance Stephenson talk screwed me up
whoo misspeels yor naame, HeelYeah?